[applause] >> governor romney's energy proposal is backward-looking. it ignores the facts and it is a giveaway to his big oil campaign supporters at the expense of our air, land and water. >> reporter: the governor's plan is especially significant in the american west where most of the nation's public lands exist along with much of its untapped oil, gas and mineral resources. >> it has gotten to the point on federal lands at times it takes six, seven, eight years to get a permit. that is too much incertainty for industry. >> it is bad for the climate. >> reporter: he says the u.s. has a strong 100 year history of federal agencies maintaining multiple uses that include energy production. >> we foe that our public lands means so much more than just energy production. they're a huge driver of our economy, for tourism and for recreation. there are huge jobs creators. >> the amount of impact that we're talking about on federal lands is a postage stamp on the united states. it is very, very little impact. so it is not either or question. >> reporter: and to